Committee forwards Bruce Oka to full Board for Sunshine Ordinance Task Force amid disclosure concerns

The Rules Committee recommended Bruce Oka to the Sunshine Ordinance Task Force after a contentious series of public comments and committee discussion about recent turnover on the task force and the completeness of financial-disclosure (Form 700) filings.

Bruce Oka, a longtime public-service figure who recently left the municipal transit board, said he would devote himself to open-government work if appointed. "Open government to me is priority number one," Oka said in the hearing. Supporters said his MTA experience and willingness to call out officials when necessary make him a fit for the task force.

Public speakers and a current holdover member raised procedural concerns. Richard Nee, a holdover Sunshine Task Force member, told the committee that several applicants' Form 700 filings were incomplete or redacted: "We don't know really what his economic interests are," Nee said, arguing that the redactions and missing schedules should prompt scrutiny. Another commenter said the task force had been "crippled" by recent turnover and urged careful consideration of institutional knowledge.

Committee members acknowledged the concerns and discussed the value of continuity versus bringing in new members. A supervisor noted that personal addresses and some contact details are often redacted for privacy on candidate forms; staff confirmed redactions may be present for privacy reasons. The committee moved to forward Bruce Oka with recommendation to the full Board; the transcript records the motion carried without opposition.

Next steps: The recommendation for Bruce Oka will go to the full Board of Supervisors. The committee signaled it will separately address unresolved holdover and disclosure issues in due course.